Augmented surgical reality environment for a robotic surgical system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to robotic surgical system that includes an operating console configured to operate at least one robotic arm and at least one drive motor configured to receive an input from the operating console and control the at least one robotic arm based on the input from the operating console. A surgical instrument is coupled to the at least one robotic arm. The surgical instrument is inserted into a patient and captures an image of a region of interest inside the patient during a surgical procedure. A controller receives the image and applies at least one image processing filter to identify at least one non-visible property of an object in the region of interest. A display displays the image to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/375,937, filed Apr. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/327,066, filed Jan. 18, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. National Stage Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371(a) of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2015/041085, filed Jul. 20, 2015, which claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/028,984, filed Jul. 25, 2014, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surgical techniques to improve surgical outcomes for a patient. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for augmenting and enhancing a clinician's field of vision while performing a surgical technique.

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgeries have involved the use of multiple small incisions to perform a surgical procedure instead of one larger opening. The small incisions have reduced patient discomfort and improved recovery times. The small incisions have also limited the visibility of internal organs, tissue, and other matter.

Endoscopes have been inserted in one or more of the incisions to make it easier for clinicians to see internal organs, tissue, and other matter inside the body during surgery. These endoscopes have included a camera with an optical and/or digital zoom capability that is coupled to a display showing the magnified view of organs, tissue, and matter inside the body as captured by the camera. Existing endoscopes and displays, especially those used in surgical robotic systems, have had a limited ability to identify conditions or objects that are within the field of view of the camera but are not fully visible within the spectrum shown on the display.

For example, existing minimally invasive and robotic surgical tools, including but not limited to endoscopes and displays, have had a limited, if any, ability to identify tissue perfusion after resection, locate different sized arteries within tissue, measure the effectiveness of vessel sealing, identify diseased or dead tissue from a heat signature, verify appropriate functioning after a resection, distinguish between sensitive areas (such as the ureter) and surrounding matter (such as surrounding blood), and detecting super-small leaks that are not visible with current tests. In some surgeries these checks were either not performed or more invasive and/or time consuming tests were performed to check for these and other conditions and objects.

There is a need for identifying a greater range of possible conditions or objects that are within the field of view of a surgical camera but are not fully visible within the spectrum shown on the display during surgery.

SUMMARY

A robotic surgical system may include two or more robotic arms. Each of the robotic arms may have two or more degrees of freedom. Each of the robotic arms may include two or more members that are connectedly arranged to provide the two or more degrees of freedom. In some instances, the members may be connected by joints, hinges, couplings, or linkages.

An image capture device may be attached to a surgical assembly of a first of the robotic arms. The image capture device may be configured to be inserted into a patient. The image capture device may also be configured to capture an image of a region of interest inside the patient during a surgical procedure.

A surgical instrument may be attached to a surgical assembly of a second of the robotic arms. The surgical instrument may be configured to be inserted into a patient. The surgical instrument may also be configured manipulate tissue inside the patient during the surgical procedure.

An input device of the robotic surgical system may be configured to manipulate the image capture device attached to the first robotic arm and/or the surgical instrument attached to the second robotic arm during the surgical procedure.

An image processing filter in the robotic surgical system may be configured to filter image data at a predetermined spatial frequency from the image captured from the image capture device to identify a property of an object imperceptible to a user of the robotic surgical system at the predetermined spatial frequency. The property of the object may be imperceptible when the property is difficult for the user to perceive. In some instances this may occur because the property is obstructed, obscured, or not visible.

The image processing filter may include a spatial decomposition filter configured to decompose the image into at least two spatial frequency bands, a temporal filter configured to be applied to the spatial frequency bands to generate at least two temporally filtered bands, an adder configured to add each of the spatial frequency bands to a corresponding band of the temporally filtered bands to generate at least two respective augmented bands, and a reconstruction filter configured to generate an augmented image by collapsing the augmented bands.

A controller in the robotic surgical system may be configured to enhance a perceptibility of the identified property of the object. The controller may also be configured to output the enhanced perceptibility of the identified property to make it easier for the user to perceive the identified property.

The controller may include a graphics processor configured to enhance a visible representation of the identified property and output the enhanced visible representation to the display to be displayed. The controller may be configured to amplify the filtered image data to enhance the visible representation of the identified property. The controller may be configured to transition at least a portion the filtered image data having a non-visible frequency to a frequency in a visible light frequency range to enhance the visible representation of the identified property.

The controller may include a haptic processor configured to enhance a force-feedback representation of the identified property and output the enhanced force-feedback representation to a haptic device on the input device configured to provide haptic feedback to the user. The controller may be configured to amplify the filtered image data to enhance the force-feedback representation of the identified property.

A display connected to the robotic surgical system may be configured to display the image capture from the image capture device during the surgical procedure.

The robotic surgical system may also include a control device. The control device may be configured to identify the surgical instrument attached to the second robotic arm and select an image processing filter from a plurality of image processing filters based on the identification of the surgical instrument.

The control device may also be configured to determine whether the surgical instrument attached to the second robotic arm is within a field of view of the image capture device during the surgical procedure. The control device may be configured to select the image processing filter if the surgical instrument is within the field of view of the image capture device.

The robotic surgical system may also have a third robotic arm that has a surgical assembly to which a surgical instrument is attached. The control device may be configured to identify the surgical instrument attached to the third arm. The control device may also be configured to determine which of the surgical instruments attached to the second and the third robotic arms appear within the field of view of the image capture device. The control device may be also configured to select the image processing filter based on the result of this determination.

The control device may also be configured to identify a task being performed by the identified surgical instrument and select the image processing filter based on the task being performed during the surgical procedure.

The control device may also be configured to identify an initial task being performed by the identified surgical instrument during the surgical procedure and initially select and apply the image processing filter to initially captured image data based on the initial task. The control device may also be configured to then identify a subsequent task being performed by the identified surgical instrument during the surgical procedure and select and apply a different image processing filter to subsequently captured image data based on the subsequent task. The tasks may relate to a particular event, operation, or movement of the surgical instrument.

For example, the control device may be configured to associate movement of the surgical instrument at a rate less than a threshold as the initial task and associate movement of the surgical instrument at a rate greater than the threshold with the subsequent task. As a second example, the control device may be configured to associate movement of the surgical instrument at a first scaling rate with the initial task and associate movement of the surgical instrument at a different scaling factor rate with the subsequent task. As a third example, the control device may be configured to associate an actuation of the surgical instrument within a first period with the initial task and associate a non-actuation of the surgical instrument within a second period with the subsequent task.

A method may include capturing an image of a region of interest inside a patient during a surgical procedure with an image capture device. The image capture device may be attached to a surgical assembly of a first robotic arm in a surgical robotic system that has at least two robotic arms.

A method may also include manipulating a surgical instrument inside the patient during the surgical procedure after the surgical instrument is attached to a surgical assembly of a second of the at least two robotic arms in the surgical robotic system during the surgical procedure. The surgical instrument may be manipulated in response to a user manipulating an input device of the surgical robotic system;

A method may also include filtering image data from the captured image at a predetermined spatial frequency to identify a property of an object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency.

A method may also include enhancing a perceptibility of the identified property of the object.

A method may also include outputting the enhanced perceptibility to the user of the surgical robotic system. The enhanced perceptibility of the identified property of the object may include a location of delicate tissue.

A method may also include providing additional information to the user in the outputted enhanced perceptibility relating to the manipulation of the surgical instrument. The additional information provided to the user may include a visualization of vessel seal effectiveness and/or a visualization of abnormal tissue. The additional information provided to the user may include a force-feedback that is applied at the input device of the robotic surgical system in response to the user moving the input device so as to manipulate the surgical instrument within a predetermined distance of a location of tissue identified as delicate.

A non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions, that when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to execute a method. A computer readable medium may include a material capable of storing data in a format readable by a mechanical device, including, but not limited to, a flash memory, solid state drive, and compact disc.

A non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to filter image data at a predetermined spatial frequency to identify a property of an object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency from an image of a region of interest inside a patient during a surgical procedure obtained from an image capture device attached to a surgical assembly of a first of at least two robotic arms of a surgical robotic system.

The stored instructions, when executed, may also cause the processing device to manipulate a surgical instrument inside the patient during the surgical procedure after the surgical instrument is attached to a surgical assembly of a second of the at least two robotic arms during the surgical procedure in response to a user manipulating an input device of the surgical robotic system.

The stored instructions, when executed, may also cause the processing device to enhance a perceptibility of the identified property of the object from the filtered image data.

The stored instructions, when executed, may also cause the processing device to output the enhanced perceptibility to a user of the surgical robotic system.

The stored instructions, when executed, may also cause the processing device to provide additional information to the user in the outputted enhanced perceptibility relating to the manipulation of the surgical instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for augmenting a surgical environment;

FIGS. 2A-2D are examples of how the system of FIG. 1 may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first block diagram of a system for augmenting an image or video;

FIG. 5 is a second block diagram of a system for augmenting an image or video;

FIG. 6 is a third block diagram of a system for augmenting an image or video;

FIG. 7 is a fourth block diagram of a system for augmenting an image or video; and

FIG. 8 is a system block diagram of a robotic surgical system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Image data captured from a surgical camera during a surgical procedure may be analyzed to identify additional imperceptible properties of objects within the camera field of view that may be invisible or visible but difficult to clearly see for people viewing the camera image displayed on a screen. Various image processing technologies may be applied to this image data to identify different conditions in the patient. For example, Eulerian image amplification techniques may be used to identify wavelength or “color” changes of light in different parts of a capture image. These changes may be further analyzed to identify re-perfusion, arterial flow, and/or vessel types.

Eulerian image amplification may also be used to make motion or movement between image frames more visible to a clinician. In some instances changes in a measured intensity of predetermined wavelengths of light between different image frames may be presented to a clinician to make the clinician more aware of the motion of particular objects of interest (such as blood).

Image algebra may be used to identify an optimal location for cutting tissue or other matter during the surgical procedure. In some instances, image algebra may include edge detection and/or Eulerian image amplification to identify optimal cutting locations.

Hyper-spectral image analysis may be used to identify subtle changes in small areas within the range of view that may be invisible or otherwise difficult for the human eye to discern. These hyper-spectral image analysis techniques may be combined with Eulerian image amplification to identify a specific set of changes in these areas.

Image algebra may be combined with hyper-spectral image analysis to identify an edge of an object or other mass. Image algebra may include edge detection and/or may be combined with both hyper-spectral image analysis and Eulerian image amplification to identify an edge of a mass.

Infrared light may be used to identify a boundary of diseased, dead, and/or abnormal tissue. A filter may be used to isolate one or more desired wavelengths in an infrared, near infrared, or other range from captured image data. Eulerian image amplification and/or image algebra may be used to analyze the filtered image data and identify a particular tissue boundary.

One or more of Eulerian image amplification, image algebra, hyper-spectral image analysis, and filtering technologies may be included as part of an imaging system. These technologies may enable the imaging system to provide additional information about unapparent conditions and objects within a camera's field of view and enhance surgical outcomes. This additional information may include, but is not limited to, identifying tissue perfusion, locating arteries of specific sizes (such as larger arteries), verifying an effectiveness of vessel sealing, identifying a heat signature of abnormal tissue, verifying desired object motion (such as a lack of movement in edges of dead tissue or verifying proper flow after resection), distinguishing between similar looking objects (such as between the ureter, inferior mesenteric artery, and/or surrounding blood), and detecting small leaks (such as leaks that may occur after an anastomosis).

One or more of these technologies may be included as part of an imaging system in a surgical robotic system to provide a clinician with additional information in real time about unapparent conditions and objects within an endoscope's field of view. This may enable the clinician to quickly identify, avoid, and/or correct undesirable situations and conditions during surgery. For example, a clinician may be able to verify during surgery that vessels have been properly sealed, that blood is properly flowing, that there are no air leaks after an anastomosis, and/or that diseased tissue has been removed. The clinician may then be able to correct these issues if needed during the surgery. A clinician may also be able to identify delicate or critical objects in the body that the surgical instruments should avoid contacting or handle extra carefully, such as larger arteries or the ureter.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing an augmented image in real time to a clinician during a surgical procedure. The systems and methods described herein apply image processing filters to a captured image to provide an augmented or enhanced image to a clinician via a display. In some embodiments, the systems and methods permit video capture during a surgical procedure. The captured video is processed in real time or near real time and then displayed to the clinician as an augmented image. The image processing filters are applied to each frame of the captured video. Providing the augmented image or video to the clinician permits the clinician to identify and address potential adverse physiologic conditions thereby reducing the need for additional surgical procedures as well as ensuring the effectiveness of the original surgical procedure.

The embodiments described herein enable a clinician to identify areas receiving excessive or ineffective blood, effectiveness of stapling or sealing, temperature variations in organs to identify diseased tissue, subtle tissue movement to determine if tissue is alive, and tissue thickness. Additionally, the embodiments described herein may be used to identify tissue perfusion after resection, location of arteries, distinguish between different tissues, and determine air leaks.

Turning to FIG. 1, a system for augmenting a surgical environment, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown generally as 100. System 100 includes a controller 102 that has a processor 104 and a memory 106. The system 100 also includes an image capture device 108, e.g., a camera, that records still frame images or moving images. A sensor array 110 provides information concerning the surgical environment to the controller 102. For instance, sensor array 110 includes biometric sensors capable of obtaining biometric data of a patient such as, pulse, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm, etc. Sensor array 110 may also include hyper-spectral sensors to perform hyper-spectral imaging. A display 112, displays augmented images to a clinician during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, the controller 102 may communicate with a central server (not shown) via a wireless or wired connection. The central server may store images of a patient or multiple patients that may be obtained using x-ray, a computed tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging.

FIGS. 2A-2D depict examples of how the system of FIG. 1 is implemented in a surgical environment. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, an image capture device 108 captures images of a surgical environment during a surgical procedure. Images recorded by the image capture device 108, data from the sensor array 110, and images from central server (not shown) are combined by the controller 102 to generate an augmented image that is provided to a clinician via display 112. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, display 112 may be a projector (FIG. 2A), a laser projection system (FIG. 2B), a pair of glasses that projects an image onto one of the lenses such as GOOGLE GLASS® (provided by Google®) (FIG. 2C), both lenses, or on a facial shield, or a monitor (FIG. 2D). When using a monitor as shown in FIG. 2D, the augmented image is overlaid on an image of the patient obtained by the image capture device 108.

FIG. 3 depicts a system block diagram of the controller 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 102 includes a transceiver 114 configured to receive still frame images or video from the image capture device 108 or data from sensor array 110. In some embodiments, the transceiver 114 may include an antenna to receive the still frame images, video, or data via a wireless communication protocol. The still frame images, video, or data are provided to the processor 104. The processor 104 includes an image processing filter 116 that processes the received still frame images, video, or data to generate an augmented image or video. The image processing filter 116 may be implemented using discrete components, software, or a combination thereof. The augmented image or video is provided to the display 112.

Turning to FIG. 4, a system block diagram of an image processing filter that may be applied to video received by transceiver 114 is shown as 116A. In the image processing filter 116A, each frame of a received video is decomposed into different spatial frequency bands S₁ to S_(N) using a spatial decomposition filter 118. The spatial decomposition filter 118 uses an image processing technique known as a pyramid in which an image is subjected to repeated smoothing and subsampling.

After the frame is subjected to the spatial decomposition filter 118, a temporal filter 120 is applied to all the spatial frequency bands S₁ to S_(N) to generate temporally filtered bands ST₁ to ST_(N). The temporal filter 120 is a bandpass filter that is used to extract one or more desired frequency bands. For example, if the clinician knows the patient's pulse, the clinician can set the bandpass frequency of the temporal filter 120, using a user interface (not shown), to magnify the spatial frequency band that corresponds to the patient's pulse. In other words, the bandpass filter is set to a narrow range that includes the patient's pulse and applied to all the spatial frequency bands S₁ to S_(N). Only the spatial frequency band that corresponds to the set range of the bandpass filter will be isolated or passed through. All of the temporally filtered bands ST₁ to ST_(N) are individually amplified by an amplifier having a gain α. Because the temporal filter isolates or passes through a desired spatial frequency band, only the desired spatial frequency band gets amplified. The amplified temporally filtered bands ST₁ to ST_(N) are then added to the original spatial frequency bands S₁ to S_(N) to generate augmented bands S′₁ to S′N. Each frame of the video is then reconstructed using a reconstruction filter 122 by collapsing augmented bands S′₁ to S′_(N) to generate an augmented frame. All the augmented frames are combined to produce the augmented video. The augmented video that is shown to the clinician includes a portion that is magnified, i.e., the portion that corresponds the desired spatial frequency band, to enable the clinician to easily identify such portion.

In some embodiments, instead of using an amplifier to amplify the isolated temporally filtered band, the image processing filter 116A may highlight the temporally filtered band using a one or more colors before reconstructing the video. Using a different color for a desired portion of the patient, e.g., a vessel or nerve, may make it easier for the clinician to identify the location of such portion.

Turning to FIG. 5, a system block diagram of an image processing filter that may be applied to a still frame image or video received by transceiver 114 is shown as 116B. As shown in FIG. 5, an input image 124 (i.e., a captured image or a frame from a video) is inputted into image processing filter 116B. The image processing filter 116B then employs an edge detection algorithm on the inputted image 124 and outputs a filtered image 126 that highlights the edges found in the input image 124.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a system for generating a hyper-spectral image. As shown in FIG. 6, sensor array 110 includes hyper-spectral sensors 128. The hyper-spectral sensors 128 collect a set of images where each image represents a different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The set of images are sent to image processing filter 116C which employs a hyper-spectral algorithm to combine the set of images to form a three-dimensional (3D) hyper-spectral image cube. The 3D hyper-spectral image cube is outputted to the display 112

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of a system for generating an infrared image. As shown in FIG. 7, an infrared camera 130 captures images or video and transmits the captured images or video to image processing filter 116D. Image processing filter 116D processes the received captured images or video to generate an infrared image that is displayed on display 112.

The image processing filters described above, i.e., 116A-116D, may be used individually to identify physical conditions during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, image processing filter 116A may be used to identify changes in color in order to identify tissue perfusion or re-perfusion after a resection, arterial flow, vessel types. Image processing filter 116A may also be used to enhance visibility of motion identify edges of necrotic tissue or appropriate functioning of tissue after resection.

In some embodiments, the above-described filters may be combined to assist the clinician in identifying adverse physical conditions. For instance, image processing filters 116A and 116B may be combined to identify edges of different tissues to determine the most effective placement for performing a task, e.g., cutting. Image processing filters 116A and 116C may be combined to identify subtle changes in small areas, e.g., air leaks that cannot be determined by conventional methods. Image processing filters 116A, 116B, and 116C may be combined to identify edges of a mass, e.g., a tumor. Image processing filters 116A, 116B, and 116D may be combined to identify the boundary of diseased tissue.

Image processing filters 116A, 116, B, 116C, and 116D may be implemented using different circuits or they may be implemented using a single processor that executes different subroutines based on the filter that is applied to the image.

The above-described embodiments may also be integrated into a robotic surgical system. FIG. 8 shows various components that may be included in a robotic surgical system 1, such as two or more robot arms 2, 3; a control device 4; and an operating console 5 coupled with control device 4. Operating console 5 may include a display device 6, which may be set up in particular to display three-dimensional images; and one or more manual input devices 7, 8, by means of which a person (not shown), for example a surgeon, is able to telemanipulate robot arms 2, 3 in a first operating mode.

The movement of input devices 7, 8 may be scaled so that a surgical instrument attached to a robot arm 2, 3 has a corresponding movement that is different (e.g. smaller or larger) than the movement of the input devices 7, 8. The scale factor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the clinician can control the resolution of the working ends of the surgical instrument.

Each of the robot arms 2, 3 may include a plurality of members, which are connected through joints, and a surgical assembly 20 to which may be attached, for example, a surgical instrument, such as, for example, an image capture device 108, such as an endoscope, or other surgical instrument having an end effector 200, in accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. A distal end of surgical assembly 20 may be configured to support an image capture device 108 and/or other surgical instruments having end effectors 200, including, but not limited to a grasper, surgical stapler, a surgical cutter, a surgical stapler-cutter, a linear surgical stapler, a linear surgical stapler-cutter, a circular surgical stapler, a circular surgical stapler-cutter, a surgical clip applier, a surgical clip ligator, a surgical clamping device, a vessel expanding device, a lumen expanding device, a scalpel, a fluid delivery device or any other type of surgical instrument. Each of these surgical instruments may be configured for actuation and manipulation by the robot arms 2, 3 via force transmitting members. Force transmitting members may be variously configured, such as, for example, hypotubes, push rods, shafts, or tethers, and can transmit various forces, such as, for example, axial (i.e., pushing and pulling), rotary, and/or torque. An image capture device 108, such as an endoscope having a camera as an end effector 200 that articulates may include such force transmitting members. One or more of these force transmitting members may be configured to control the articulation of the camera.

Robot arms 2, 3 may be driven by electric drives that are connected to control device 4. Control device 4 (e.g., a computer) is set up to activate the drives, in particular by means of a computer program, in such a way that robot arms 2, 3, their surgical assemblies 20 and thus the end effector 200 execute a desired movement according to a movement defined by means of manual input devices 7, 8. Control device 4 may also be set up in such a way that it regulates the movement of robot arms 2, 3 and/or of the drives.

Control device 4 may also be communicatively coupled to other components of the surgical system 1, including, but not limited to, the surgical assemblies 20; display 6; input devices 7, 8; and surgical instruments coupled to robot arms 2, 3 such as image capture device 108 and instrument having an end effector 200. Control device 4 may also include or be coupled to controller 102. Controller 102 and/or control device 4 may include transceiver 114, which may be configured to receive still frame images or video from the image capture device 108 or data from sensor array 110. In some embodiments, the transceiver 114 may include an antenna to receive the still frame images, video, or data via a wireless communication protocol. The transceiver 114 may also receive the still frame images, video, or data via a wired connection. The still frame images, video, or data may be sent to processor 104. The processor 104 includes an image processing filter 116 that processes the received still frame images, video, or data to generate an augmented image or video. Processor 104 may include a buffer or memory 106 to store the images, video, or data being processed. The image processing filter 116 may be implemented using discrete components, software, or a combination thereof. The augmented image or video may be stored and/or sent to the display 6 or another output device.

In the surgical system 1, at least one image capture device 108 may be coupled to at least a first of the two or more robot arms 2, 3. The image capture device 108 may be configured to be inserted into the patient and capture an image of a region of interest inside the patient during a surgical procedure. The captured image may be displayed on the display 6.

Another surgical instrument having an end effector 200 configured to manipulate tissue in the region of interest during the surgical procedure may be coupled to at least a second of the two or more robot arms 2, 3.

The controller 102 may be configured to process image captured from image device 108 and apply at least one image processing filter 116 (e.g. filters 116A-116D in one or more of the different ways mentioned throughout the application) to the captured image to identify an imperceptible property of an object in the region of interest during the surgical procedure. The controller 102 may output the identified imperceptible property during the surgical procedure to the clinician. The imperceptible property may be outputted in different ways including to the display 6 where the imperceptible property may be shown to a clinician and/or by way of haptics so the clinician may feel the imperceptible property. When the imperceptible property is outputted to the display, the imperceptible property may be altered or transformed into a more clearly visible signal that may be overlayed onto a corresponding section of the captured image and shown to the clinician on the display.

Each of the instruments that may be attached to a robot arm 2, 3 may be equipped with a tool-type identifier, such as a quick response code, an identifier stored in a memory of the instrument, a particular circuit configuration associated with the tool-type, and so on. The surgical system 1 may include components or circuitry configured to receive and/or read the tool-type identifier from each instrument attached to a robot arm 2, 3. This information may then be used to select the specific image processing filters 116 that may be applied to the captured image.

The tool-type identifier information may be used to identify a surgical instrument attached to a robot arm 2, 3 that is located with the field of view of the image capture device 108. For example, if a quick response code or other tool-type identifier is located on the end effector 200, shaft, or other component of the surgical instrument that appears within the field of view of the image device 108, then the captured image data may analyzed to identify the surgical instrument from the quick response code or other identifier identified from the image capture data.

In other instances, a surgical instrument that enters the field of view of the image capture device 108 may be identified based on a comparison of positional information about the image capture device 108 (and/or the robot arm 2 to which the image device 108 is attached) and an instrument attached to one of the other robot arms 3 (and/or the robot arm 3 to which the instrument is attached). Positional information may be obtained from one or more position sensors in each instrument or in the robot arms 2, 3. A transformation may be used to convert absolute positional information in different coordinate systems from different robot arms 2, 3 so that a relative position of the image capture device 108 on one robot arm 2 relative to the surgical instrument attached to another robot arm 3 may be obtained. The relative position information may be used to identify whether the surgical instrument attached to the other robot arm 3 is within the field of view of the image capture device 108.

In other instances, one or more cameras may be used to capture an image of one or more of the robot arms 2, 3. The image data from these cameras may be analyzed to identify the position of each of the robot arms 2, 3. This positional information may be analyzed to determine if the robot arm 3 to which the surgical instrument is attached is located within the field of view of the image capture device 108. Other systems and methods for determining whether a robot arm 3 to which a surgical instrument is attached is located within the field of view of the image capture device 108 may also be used.

If the positional information and/or the tool-type identifier indicate that a particular surgical instrument is within the field of view of the image capture device 108, then one or more of the image processing filters 116 may be automatically selected that correspond to the particular surgical instrument. For example, if an electro-cauterization surgical instrument is identified as being within the field of view of image capture device 108, then an image processing filter 116 showing an effectiveness of a vessel seal may be automatically selected. If the electro-cauterization instrument is then moved out of the field of view and a cutting instrument, such as a scalpel in moved into the field of view, then a different image processing filter 116 showing the location of large arteries may be automatically selected instead.

Different image processing filters 116 may be automatically selected depending on the task that is to be performed. For example, if a cutting tool is in the field of view and is being moved at a rate exceeding a predetermined threshold and/or a scaling factor of the input device 7, 8, is changed so that the surgical instrument moves faster, an image processing filters 116 showing the location of large arteries may be automatically selected. However, if the cutting tool is being moved a slower rate and/or activated to methodically cut and/or remove tissue, then an image processing filter 116 showing abnormal tissue may be used instead. The same analysis may applied to electro-cauterization tools—if the tool has not been activated within a predetermined period and/or is being moved at a rate exceeding a predetermined threshold then an image processing filter 116 showing the location of large arteries may be automatically selected. However, if the electro-cauterization tool is being moved a slower rate and/or activated within the predetermined period to methodically cut and/or remove tissue, then an image processing filter 116 showing an effectiveness of a vessel seal or other desired property may be used instead.

The input device 7, 8 may include haptics 216 to provide feedback to the clinician relating to the imperceptible property. For example, an output signal representative of a tissue parameter or condition, e.g., tissue resistance due to manipulation, cutting or otherwise treating, pressure by the instrument onto the tissue, tissue temperature, tissue impedance, and so on, may be generated and transmitted to the input device 7, 8 to provide haptic feedback to the clinician that varies based on the imperceptible property. Haptics 216 may provide the clinician with enhanced tactile feedback about imperceptible properties of objects that may improve patient safety. For example, haptics 216 may be implemented to provide feedback to the clinician when a surgical instrument moved by the input device 7, 8 comes within a predetermined distance of a large artery or other delicate tissue to prevent possible injury to the artery and/or delicate tissue. Haptics 216 may include vibratory motors, electroacitve polymers, piezoelectric devices, electrostatic devices, subsonic audio wave surface actuation devices, reverse-electrovibration, or any other device capable of providing a tactile feedback to a user. The input device 7, 8 may also include a variety of different actuators for delicate tissue manipulation or treatment further enhancing the clinician's ability to mimic actual operating conditions.

The embodiments disclosed herein are examples of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”. A clinician may refers to a clinician or any medical professional, such as a doctor, nurse, technician, medical assistant, or the like) performing a medical procedure.

The systems described herein may also utilize one or more controllers to receive various information and transform the received information to generate an output. The controller may include any type of computing device, computational circuit, or any type of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a series of instructions that are stored in a memory. The controller may include multiple processors and/or multicore central processing units (CPUs) and may include any type of processor, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or the like. The controller may also include a memory to store data and/or algorithms to perform a series of instructions.

Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. A “Programming Language” and “Computer Program” includes any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and includes (but is not limited to) these languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, Machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, and fifth generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta-languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is also made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and/or the intent of those instructions.

Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be contained on one or more machine-readable media or memory. The term “memory” may include a mechanism that provides (e.g., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine such a processor, computer, or a digital processing device. For example, a memory may include a read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, or any other volatile or non-volatile memory storage device. Code or instructions contained thereon can be represented by carrier wave signals, infrared signals, digital signals, and by other like signals.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. For instance, any of the augmented images described herein can be combined into a single augmented image to be displayed to a clinician. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figs. are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: filtering image data from a captured image of a region of interest inside a patient at a predetermined spatial frequency to identify a property of an object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency, wherein identifying the property of the object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency includes: decomposing the captured image into a plurality of spatial frequency bands; generating a plurality of temporally filtered bands; adding each band in the plurality of spatial frequency bands to a corresponding band in the plurality of temporally filtered bands; generating an augmented image by collapsing the plurality of augmented bands; enhancing a perceptibility of the identified property of the object and output the enhanced perceptibility of the identified property; outputting the enhanced perceptibility; and providing information in the outputted enhanced perceptibility relating to the manipulation of a surgical instrument.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is a visualization of a vessel seal effectiveness.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is a visualization of abnormal tissue.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein enhancing the perceptibility of the identified property of the object includes enhancing a visible representation of the identified property.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein enhancing the visible representation of the identified property includes amplifying the filtered image data to enhance the visible representation of the identified property.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein enhancing the visible representation of the identified property includes transitioning at least a portion the filtered image data having a non-visible frequency to a frequency in a visible light frequency range.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced perceptibility of the identified property of the object is a location of delicate tissue and the information provided is a force-feedback signal.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising amplifying the filtered image data to enhance the force-feedback signal of the identified property.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the surgical instrument attached to a first of a plurality of robotic arms or a second of a plurality of robotic arms; and selecting an image processing filter from a plurality of image processing filters based on the identification of the surgical instrument.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining whether the surgical instrument attached to the first or second of the plurality of robotic arms is within the captured image during a surgical procedure; and selecting the image processing filter if the surgical instrument is within the captured image.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: identifying a task being performed by the at least one identified surgical instrument; and selecting the image processing filter based on the task being performed during the surgical procedure.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: identifying an initial task being performed by the at least one identified surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; initially selecting and applying the image processing filter to initially captured image data based on the initial task; identifying a subsequent task being performed by the at least one identified surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and selecting and applying a different image processing filter to subsequently captured image data based on the subsequent task.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: associating movement of the at least one surgical instrument at a rate less than a threshold as the initial task; and associating movement of the at least one surgical instrument at a rate greater than the threshold with the subsequent task.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: associating movement of the at least one surgical instrument at a first scaling rate with the initial task; and associating movement of the surgical instrument at a different scaling factor rate with the subsequent task.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: associating an actuation of the at least one surgical instrument within a first period with the initial task; and associating a non-actuation of the at least one surgical instrument within a second period with the subsequent task.
 16. A method comprising: decomposing a captured image, of a region of interest inside a patient at a predetermined spatial frequency, into a plurality of spatial frequency bands; generating a plurality of temporally filtered bands; adding each band in the plurality of spatial frequency bands to a corresponding band in the plurality of temporally filtered bands; generating an augmented image by collapsing the plurality of augmented bands; enhancing a perceptibility of an identified property of an object and output the enhanced perceptibility of the identified property; outputting the enhanced perceptibility; and providing information in the outputted enhanced perceptibility relating to the manipulation of a surgical instrument.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information is one of at least a visualization of a vessel seal effectiveness or a visualization of abnormal tissue.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein enhancing the perceptibility of the identified property of the object includes enhancing a visible representation of the identified property.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein enhancing the visible representation of the identified property includes amplifying the filtered image data to enhance the visible representation of the identified property.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to: filter image data from a captured image of a region of interest inside a patient at a predetermined spatial frequency to identify a property of an object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency, wherein identifying the property of the object imperceptible at the predetermined spatial frequency includes: decomposing the captured image into a plurality of spatial frequency bands; generating a plurality of temporally filtered bands; adding each band in the plurality of spatial frequency bands to a corresponding band in the plurality of temporally filtered bands; generating an augmented image by collapsing the plurality of augmented bands; enhancing a perceptibility of the identified property of the object and output the enhanced perceptibility of the identified property; outputting the enhanced perceptibility; and providing information in the outputted enhanced perceptibility relating to the manipulation of a surgical instrument. 